Overview & Reviews

Subaru is a Japan-based automaker whose recent offerings are both practical and fun to drive. The automaker crafts vehicles whose all-wheel-drive powertrains and available turbochargers facilitate sharp performance. Incongruously, most Subaru vehicles are discreet and versatile enough to serve as competent family haulers, and the brand is known for boasting some of the best crash test scores in the automotive world.

In the early 1950s, a collection of Japanese companies joined to form Fuji Heavy Industries Ltd. Its automotive division came to be known as "Subaru," which is a Japanese word meaning "unite." In 1954, the first Subaru car was unveiled. Powered by a four-cylinder engine, the P-1 (its name was later changed to the Subaru 1500) boasted a front-wheel wishbone-type independent suspension and was the first car to feature a monocoque body designed in Japan. Sales were suspended due to challenges associated with funding and support, but Subaru soon resolved its difficulties and rolled out a sibling for its first-born; the 360 was introduced in 1958. Dubbed the Ladybird because of its ladybug shape, the compact 360 proved immensely popular, and remained in production for 12 years.

The 1960s saw the launch of the first Subaru truck. Based on the Subaru 360 platform, the Sambar minitruck offered both compact dimensions (a must for Japan's crowded, narrow streets) and an extremely spacious cargo bed. The truck was soon joined by the Sambar Light Van, a compact van built for both commercial and leisure use. In 1966, the automaker rolled out the 1000, a car that holds the distinction of being the first vehicle to use the drive technology that is the linchpin of current Subaru models: a front-wheel-drive system coupled to a horizontally opposed engine. This setup offered many advantages in handling and performance. By the end of the decade, Subaru North America had been founded, and exports to the United States had begun.

Subaru started the '70s with the introduction of the GL/DL (called the Leone in other markets). The sedan (it was soon joined by a coupe and a station wagon) broke new ground by offering four-wheel-drive (4WD) capability. Up until then, 4WD had only been offered in off-road-oriented vehicles. Coveted for use in the snow and in hilly regions, the GL and DL also benefited from the increasing popularity of outdoor sports like skiing and fishing, and went on to become the world's top-selling 4WD vehicle. In 1977, Subaru rolled out the successful Brat; based on the GL, it was a small car-based pickup whose cargo bed featured a pair of jump seats. More and more, young people were seeking a vehicle designed for an outdoorsy lifestyle, and the rugged Brat was perfectly in step with their needs.

Subaru continued to offer versatile but slightly quirky vehicles through the '80s. It developed the world's first electronically controlled continuously variable transmission. The technology made its debut later that decade in a new Subaru, the tiny Justy economy car. By the end of the '80s, Subaru had given birth to the Legacy, which replaced the outgoing GL/DL (now called the Loyale in the U.S.). Available as both a wagon and a sedan, the Legacy placed an emphasis on performance.

The automaker made a name for itself in motorsports in the 1990s by being the first Japanese marque to win the Manufacturers' title at the World Rally Championship three years in a row. The Subaru family continued to grow during this decade, with the addition of the high-performance SVX, the popular Legacy-based Outback wagon and the sporty Impreza. In the late '90s, General Motors acquired a 20 percent stake in parent company Fuji Heavy Industries (FHI) with the aim of strengthening its presence in foreign markets. This affiliation didn't last long, however, and Toyota currently owns a small percentage of FHI.

Today, Subaru's lineup includes everything from compact trucks to family-friendly wagons to high-performance cars such as the WRX STi. The brand is hailed as a top pick for enthusiasts seeking vehicles that offer a shot of utility with their performance thrills.

User Reviews:

• 

  Second Choice But O.K. - 2005 Subaru Forester
  By Major T - July 20 - 2:30 am

  Started out to buy a CRV but they were sold out. The Forester was on sale with a couple thousand off the MSRP and it certainly had a good reputation. It replaced a 1991 Sidekick. The Forester is more comfortable and handles better than the Suzuki. With one month of winter driving I am not sold on the AWD system on the Forester, seems pretty easy to get this car going sideways on slippery roads. The Forester is an O.K. vehicle but I find it hard to really be enthusiastic about it.

• 

  My second Subaru! - 2010 Subaru Outback
  By Kaja - July 19 - 6:33 pm

  I purchased my first Subaru in 1999. The quality and reliability of my Outback Impreza convinced me to purchase another Subaru. I purchased a 2010 Outback in December of 2009 and Im very happy I did! Yes, I did test drives of many other top vehicle brands, but felt right at home when test driving the Outback - the nice thing is that I didnt have to learn a completely new layout of controls like headlights, windshield wiper, etc. As I live in Minnesota, my new Outback has gotten a workout in the snow and ice category, and has passed with flying colors. I also do a lot of stop and go driving and am constantly amazed at the gas mileage I get (average is 26-27 mpg.)

• 

  Best car for anyone! - 2006 Subaru Impreza
  By Lili C. - July 19 - 10:17 am

  This car was a my dads midlife crisis, and when he decided it was time to teach his daughter manual, he gave me the subaru! Best car I have ever driven. I have owned it for quite some time now, and it still runs just as great as when we first got it. Its comfy and powerful. Mods are easy and the look of the car is beautiful. One thing I noticed is that local radio gets fuzzy when I turn on the back windshield warmers... But other than that, the car is everything I ever wanted.

• 

  Awesome! - 2011 Subaru Outback
  By AppyTreks - July 18 - 1:13 pm

  Test drove and researched lots of SUVs: Pilot, Santa Fe, Sonata, Rav4, Highlander, Xterra, and Equinox. Came back to the Outback because it had the whole package, reliability, AWD, fuel economy, ground clearance, quiet and smooth ride. Ive had it a week now (300 miles) and have driven it up rough mountain roads, on the interstate and in town - Im very pleased with my Outback. My main concern before buying it was the 4 cylinder engine, but Ive got plenty of power AND Im getting 28 mpg. Got the limited package with sunroof option (no nav) - love the auto air, XM radio, Bluetooth and the overall layout and look of the dashboard (esp. at night). Looks great with the black leather interior.

• 

  Love the Tribeca - 2006 Subaru B9 Tribeca
  By Nancy Jo - July 18 - 6:50 am

  I am thrilled with my Tribeca. The interior and exterior are well designed. It doesnt look like every other SUV on the road. It handles well and has good power.

• 

  Great vehicle - 2004 Subaru Forester
  By slajsa - July 18 - 2:00 am

  Crossover that rides like a car. Second Forester after 11 Volvos. Absolutely great vehicle and value for the cost. Im 66" and plenty of driver room and comfort.

• 

  Great performance for a bargin bin price - 2004 Subaru Impreza
  By Neal Nachman - July 18 - 2:00 am

  I bouth this car about 4 months ago and i have had alot of fun with it. It accelerates/handles better than a great majority of the cars out there and alsohandles great when compared to the other cars i have driven. I happen to love the stereo system that came with the car (i got the premimum sound upgrade- sub , amp and better speakers)

• 

  Great AWD Vehicle - 2004 Subaru Impreza
  By R. Aubuchon - July 18 - 2:00 am

  This car handles very well in the snow.

• 

  OMG, OMG OMG, love it love it love - 2010 Subaru Outback
  By kleeks - July 17 - 5:26 am

  third subaru and this is by far my favorite. Feels solid like luxury car..no it is a luxury car!!! Handling the snow and mud is unbelievable..we got the most snow ever...3 feet. I felt like my car had a snowplow attached in the front. The CVT is wonderful. I used my OB to make tracks in the road for other cars in the neighborhood!!! Drove up to a guy with a new Jeep who was stuck and offered to call a tow truck. (Im disabled and could not help.) Said his family was coming. I put my OB in reverse and drove on. Sorry, but I loved the look of chagrin on his face. Snow is melting and OB is covered with snow. Hate all the dirt, but I feel like Im in an OB commercial.

• 

  2nd Legacy...probably not my last - 2018 Subaru Legacy
  By Bill M. - July 17 - 3:01 am

  So my first Legacy was a 2015. Leased that one since I never had a Subaru before and wasn’t sure I would like it. Well I did and decided to buy my next one (can’t beat 0% financing). On paper this is the perfect car for me. Live in North Idaho now and needed AWD. For the price and features I don’t think there is a better value out there.For a fully loaded 2.5 Limited Legacy with Eye Sight Pkg for around $30k....is not bad at all. They did enough with 2018 Legacy compared to 2015 Legacy to make me feel I got a better car than the 2015 I traded in. Some of the new features I like in the 2018.... LED lighting (including headlights), auto high beams, lane keep assist, 8” screen, Tom Tom navigation, new multimedia interface, CarPlay, 2 usb power ports in the rear, rear braking assist, predictive guide lines on the reversing camera, better blindside notification, tire pressure monitor showing each individual tire’s air pressure, stitching on dash, smaller steering wheel with updated controls, overall updating of interior and exterior. Some things that I didn’t like in the 2015 that they didn’t change in 2018.... the tires that come on this car still suck (especially in the snow), location of front usb power ports can be a pain to hook up a power cable, seats could use some more padding. I am getting a over 30 mpg in mixed spirited driving...not bad for an AWD car in my opinion. Handles pretty good but is better with better tires. Acceleration is surprising decent for a four liter. Safety wise, I don’t know of a car with more safety features at this price point. If you are looking for an AWD car with pretty much every safety feature available today, that gets good gas mileage, is a great value with a pretty decent look to it.....this is your car in my opinion, just change out the tires.